As part of our 60 Highlights for 60 Years series, we’re spotlighting the person-centered planning (PCP) process. Person-centered planning is an ongoing planning process that involves problem solving and decision-making that places the person at the center, driving the development of the person-centered plan.
The person-centered planning process identifies the support, health and safety needs, preferences, strengths, and desired outcomes of a person. It is used to support individuals to be engaged in making their own decisions about how their life is now and in the future. It is used to help people choose support and services to meet their needs and assist them to achieve their life outcomes.
A robust and informative person-centered planning process helps explore life possibilities so that service coordinators and others supporting the individual can provide culturally competent services that are responsive to the individual’s beliefs, attitudes, language and needs.
Starting January 1, 2025, a statewide Standardized Individual Program Plan (SIPP) was developed by California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) using the person-centered planning process. Currently, all regional centers have been using the new SIPP template for all IPP meetings, amendments reviews and renewals.
To help individuals become familiar with this change, DDS developed the following age-specific guides:
- Your Plan: For self-advocates and adults
- Your Child’s Plan: For families with children ages 3–13
- Your Youth’s Plan: For young adults ages 14–22 and their families
These guides include a workbook based on person-centered tools and practices designed to help individuals prepare for their IPP meeting by identifying their preferences, strengths and goals.
The guides, as well as publications and videos on the IPP, are available at dds.ca.gov/rc/ipp
For more information on PCP: Person-Centered Planning
For upcoming PCP trainings: IPP Trainings